Insect Update: Illinois & Indiana

Tue, 2007-04-17 13:42

Cold temperatures may have slowed or stopped some alfalfa weevil development in Illinois last week. However, producers are encouraged to keep scouting fields and should be prepared for surviving larvae

Illinois Source: University of Illinois

Cold temperatures may have slowed or stopped some alfalfa weevil development in Illinois last week. However, producers are encouraged to keep scouting fields and should be prepared for surviving larvae to be active again as soon as temperatures warm up.

Indiana Source: Purdue University

Alfalfa weevil feeding had started in southern Indiana prior to last week's below-freezing temperatures. Purdue University entomologists say alfalfa weevil larvae in the first two larval instars are able to withstand temperatures as low as -2 degrees, which is much colder than temperatures dipped in the state. Purdue experts point out one small positive result of the cold temperatures -- if a field has suffered extensive freeze damage to foliage, many weevils may die of starvation. Producers should still keep an eye out for alfalfa weevil feeding in coming days.